Frame for a warp tying machine

ABSTRACT

THE BASIC FRAME HAS AT LEAST TWO PREPARATION AND CLAMPING UNITS WHICH SERVE TO TIE THE RESPECTIVE END TO WOVEN OUT WRAP AND A NEW FRESH WRAP TOGETHER. THESE UNITS ARE SEPARATELY MOUNTED ON THE BASIC FRAME TO BE REMOVED ONE AT A TIME SO AS TO BE CONSECUTIVELY PLACED BEHIND EACH OTHER TO EXTEND THE GUIDE PATH FOR THE WRAP TYING MACHINE.

Sept. 28, 1971 A. u. ALTENWEGER 3,608,165

FRAME FOR A WARP TYING MACHINE Fiied on. s, 1969 '1 ZSheets-Sheet 1 12 1 z LL I r l r J l I Fig. 1

Fig. 2

L-h J L 1 Fig. 3

Fig. 5 1

INVENTOR 141.016 AL TEN WEGER 4 TTORNEYS Sept-v 2 1971 A. u. ALTENWEGER 3,608,165

FRAME FOR A WARP TYING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 2' IN VENTOF? flLO/S flLTENWEGE United States Patent 3,608,165 FRAME FOR A WARP TYIN G MACHINE Alois Altenweger, Uster, Switzerland, assignor to Zellweger Ltd., Uster, Switzerland Filed Oct. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 863,536 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Oct. 4, 1968, 14,915/68 Int. Cl. D03j 1/18; D02h 11 /00 US. CI. 2849 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a frame for a warp tying machine.

Heretofore, frames have been utilized for the preparation and clamping of a woven out warp and a new warp. These frames have also served to support and guide a warp tying machine over the warps so that the warp tying machine could tie the warps together. In the case of relatively narrow single beam warps, the warp preparation and clamping elements have extended over the whole width of a warp. Further, during operation in this case, the working cycle initially consisted of the preparation and clamping of the Warp threads and, thereafter, the tying machine was placed in position at the beginning of the warp and set in operation. After the tying the warp threads, the clamps, frame and tying machine required removal so that the row of knots could be turned back onto the beam. The complete working cycle has been referred to as the after tying operations. However, the preparation and clamping of the warp and the after tying operations require a relatively long period of time during which the Weaving machine must be stopped, resulting in an interruption of production.

With the increasing utilization of multi-beam warps for weaving machines of adequate width, the width of the warp tying frame must be increased accordingly or, alternatively more than one normal width warp tying frame must be used. This necessitates various operational changes and design modifications to the warp tying frames. The fact that adjacent warp sheets only have a very narrow distance between them makes it further necessary to design the warp tying frames in such a Way that no operating parts or guide elements protrude beyond the end facing each other. On the other hand, however, measures have to be taken in order to provide a continuous transfer from one warp tying frame to the other for the tying machine, so that the tying machine can advance over the entire working width without hindrance. An appropriate solution for this is described under US. Pat. 3,447,212. In principle, the guide rails for the tying machine can be coupled where the frames meet, in some cases by inserting additional guide rails (members) between the first guide rails. Frames of this kind, can result in a saving in time during the working cycle, since, after preparing and clamping the first section of warp sheet, this first section can be tied while at the same time, the second section of warp sheet is prepared and clamped. However, even this method of tying warps in cumbersome and does not reduce the weaving machine down time considerably.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to efficiently reduce the down time of a weaving machine during the tying of a new warp to a woven out warp.

It is another object of this invention to permit sequential tying of sections of warp sheet with a minimum of components.

The present invention creates improved conditions and relates to a frame for warp tying machines, which is distinguished by the fact that it consists of a basic frame and at least two identical warp perparation and clamping units for a predetermined section of woven out Warp and new wrap and by the fact that these warp preparation and clamping units can be removed individually as a complete unit from the basic frame.

The preparation and clamping units are each constructed to be removably connected to each other so that after one unit is used, the unit can be removed from the frame and placed at the opposite end of the other unit or units on the frame. Thus, a plurality of sections or sheets of warp can be prepared and clamped with a minimum member of units since one unit can be used for more than one section of warp. Also, each unit can be provided with guide elements for guiding the warp tying machine thereon. Thus, a continuous guide or track can be formed for the tying machine as the tying machine passes over the various sections of warp which have been prepared and clamped.

The use of the frame of the invention has the advantages that the preparation and clamping units are easy to handle and can be connected to each other in a simple manner so that the tying machine has a continuous transfer from one preparation and clamping unit to the next over the whole width of the warp to be tied.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate the fundamental components of the frame, according to the invention and also the sequence of operations involved in the warp tying process.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate constructional details of the device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the individual components of the frame and warp tying machine are only shown diagrammatically in their relative positions as their individual design features are known per se and require no further detailed illustration.

As shown, the frame includes a basic frame 1 which is mounted on eastors via support legs so as to be transportable from place to place. The frame also includes a number of preparation and clamping units 11, 21, 31, as are known, which are supported on the basic frame 1. Each unit 11, 21, 31 is constructed so that predeterminedsections of a woven out warp and a new warp (not shown) which are to be tied together can be prepared and clamped. Further, each unit has opposite end faces which are provided with suitable coupling elements or means for removably coupling adjacent units together in alignment in such a way that the prepared and clamped sections of warp sheet lie closely adjacent to each other.

A warp tying machine, of known construction, is placed at the edge of the prepared and clamped warp sheets and is movable over the preparation and clamping units to simultaneously tie the warps together. The tying machine is guided by guide elements and advanced by elements which can either be mounted on the basic frame 1 or be formed integrally with the preparation and clamping units (11, 21, 31). In the latter case, the preparation and clamping units are constructed in such a way that when required they can be extended sideways by means of additional guide elements so that, at the beginning of the warp tying operation, the tying machine (12) can be placed in a position outside the warp. The extension can also be obtained by coupling a preparation and clamping unit, Without a warp prepared and clamped thereon,

outside an adjacent preparation and clamping unit with prepared and clamped warp threads thereon.

The sequence of operations for the tying of a warp, as this can be carried out with the frame is as follows:

The starting position is illustrated in FIG. 1. A number of identical preparation and clamping units 11, 21, 31 are placed on the transportable basic frame 1. The endmost preparation and clamping unit 11, initially carries only the tying machine 12 and is initially not covered with warp threads. The next preparation and clamping unit 21 is oriented in relation to the warp to be prepared and clamped in such a way that the right hand edge as shown corresponds with the outermost marginal warp thread of the warp to be prepared and clamped. An appropriate width of the old and new warp is then prepared and clamped on this unit 21. At this point, the unit 21 is coupled to the endmost unit 11 by lateral displacement, after which the tying machine 12 is moved up to the warp and set in operation (FIG. 2).

As the tying machine 12 moves forward over unit 21 so as to tie the threads on the unit, the next section of the warp can be prepared and clamped on the next unit 31. When the tying machine 12 approaches the left hand edge as viewed of the unit 21, since unit 31 already contains prepared and clamped warp threads, the unit 21 is then coupled with the unit 31 and thereafter unit 11 uncoupled (FIG. 3). The tying machine 12 then passes over the coupling point between units 21 and 31. As the first unit 11 has become free, it can be removed and placed alongside the unit 31 and can be used for the purpose of preparing and clamping of a further section of warp threads (FIG. 4). In this way, the warp tying proc ess progresses in stages across the whole width of the warp, whereby the number of sections can be according to choice.

The basic frame 1 has a width corresponding to the width of at least four preparation and clamping units. As soon as the first unit 11 is coupled to the last unit 31, the basic frame 1 can be laterally displaced so far that the intermediate unit 21 is then situated over the end of the basic frame (FIG. 5).

Since the individual units have only a width of for example 30 centimeters, the pull exerted by the prepared and clamped warp threads remains within tolerable limits. They can be made suitably light in weight so that the transfer from one end of the basic frame to the other can be carried out by hand without requiring any eifort. Particular attention must be paid to the construction of the coupling means or elements between the preparation and clamping units, which must ensure a quick and reliable connection and release of the units.

FIG. 6 shows how two adjacent units 11, 21 can be connected together, 2, 2' are the longitudinal guide rails on frame 1 on which the units 11, 21, 31 can be placed and slid by means of the U-shaped feet 3, 3', 4, 4'. 8, 8 are the clamping rails for the warp sheet, whereas 9, 9 are the guide rails for the tying machine 12.

The connection between the units 11, 21 or 21, 31 respectively, is realized by a hook 5 pivoted in a plate 6, whereby hook 5 engages with the cross bar 7 of unit 21.

FIG. 7 illustrates how the rails 9, 9' for guiding the tying machine 12 (not shown) can be extended. In the rails 9, 9' are slots 13, 13 into which tongues 14, 14' of extension rails 10, 10- can be inserted. In this Way the machine 12 can be placed outside the prepared warp sheet. As soon as the tying machine 12 has completed the tying process to such an extent that it is supported by rails 9, 9' completely the extension rails 10, 10 can be removed again.

In FIG. 8 an alternative arrangement is shown in crosssection. The units 11, 21, 31 are hung by means of hooks 15, 15 onto the longitudinal guide rails 2, 2 of frame 1. The rails 9, 9' for guiding the tying machine 12 are fixed on the longitudinal guide rails 2, 2. The method of extending these rails is the same as shown in FIG. 7.

What is claimed is:

1. A frame for a warp tying machine comprising a transportable basic frame, and

at least two identical preparation and clamping units for receiving predetermined sections of woven out Warp and new warp, said units being movably mounted on said frame for displacement along said frame and being individually separable as a whole from said basic frame and each other.

2. A frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein said units are removably coupled to each other.

3. A frame as set forth in claim 1 further comprising guide rails on said basic frame for slidably guiding said units thereon.

4. A frame as set forth in claim 1 further comprising guide rails on each said unit for guiding the warp tying machine over said units.

5. A frame as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guide rails are selectively extendable on at least one end to position the tying machine thereon outside of a respective one of said units.

6. In combination,

a frame having means for transporting said frame adjacent a warp beam and guide rails extending longitudinally thereof;

a plurality of warp preparation and clamping units for receiving predetermined sections of woven out warp and new warp, each said unit being slidably mounted on said guide rails for displacement longitudinally of said frame and including mean-s for removably securing said unit to an adjacent unit on said guide rails; and

a warp tying machine for moving sequentially over successively connected units of said units to tie said respective sections together.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,447,212 6/ 1969 Altenwe-ger 28-49 LOUIS K. RIMRODT, Primary Examiner 

